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Being a nurse can be a very rewarding job but it can also be stressful and overwhelming. Developing specific skills prior to entering into a nursing education program will give you an advantage as you learn more about what to expect in this career field. Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology offers an Associate of Science degree in Nursing designed to equip you with the skills you need to face the challenges that are associated with a nursing career. While there are many skills required to be successful in nursing, we will explore some of the more significant ones in this article. Focusing on developing these skills will surely help you get ahead in this dynamic and fast paced career field.
Communication
This is probably one of the most important skills that a nurse can have. Nurses have to be able to effectively communicate with everyone in a medical related situation. Nurses are called upon to simplify complex medical information for patients and families as well as communicating patient information and care to other nurses and physicians. Communication skills also often include being able to listen carefully so nurses can respond clearly and quickly to both patient and colleague requests.
Problem Solving
Another very key skill is that of problem solving. Things happen fast in the medical field and nurses have to be able to assess situations very quickly to determine the best course of action when it comes to patient care. Included with problem solving would be critical thinking skills which enable nurses to take all factors into account when deciding upon patient care and taking the time to figure out what is best. Nurses have to work with minimal information at times due to a patient’s inability to articulate what is going on and these skills come in handy when making quick decisions.
Teamwork
In order to provide patients with excellent care, nurses have to be able to work closely with other healthcare professionals and collaborate on creating quality care plans. Nurses need to have the ability to build good rapport with both patients and other providers in an effort to establish a level of trust that leads to better planning and cooperation.
Empathy
It would be hard to imagine a nurse who does not have a high level of empathy for patients. This is a skill that allows nurses to understand and relate to patients who are dealing with challenging health problems. Empathy compels nurses to provide emotional support along with the physical support that is often required for medical care. Nurses are expected to be kind and attentive especially since they are meeting people when they are in their most vulnerable state and it is crucial for them to be able to build trust quickly.
Flexibility
Individuals in the healthcare industry are constantly facing schedule shifts and changes and therefore need to be flexible in order to meet these changing demands. Nurses who are at the center of patient care need to be ready at a moment’s notice to be available to assist in a crisis and make rapid decisions. In addition, nurses need to be able to shift with quickly changing policies and procedures as they are adapted to meet the ever-changing demands of the overall population.
Earn Your Nursing Degree
Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology would like to be a part of your nursing journey as you learn and develop these important skills. Cambridge offers an Associate of Science degree in Nursing at all campuses that offer courses and instruction to help you become a registered nurse and get started in your nursing career. Check out this program or give us a call at 1-877-206-4279. We look forward to speaking with you more about opportunity.